U.S., Social Security Death Index, 1935-2014
Tommy Gene Gary
STRASBURG - Tommy Gene Gary, 71, of Strasburg, passed away on Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, at his home.
Mr. Gary was born on March 9, 1938, in Snyder, Texas, and was the son of the late Marvin and Oneta Gary. He was a member of Strasburg Christian Church and Shenandoah American Legion Post No. 77, Strasburg. He was proud of, but modest about his military service having served in the United States Marines and then 20 years in the United States Army, including tours of duty in Vietnam Nam. He was awarded 2 bronze stars and the Legion of Merit, one of our country's highest awards. He also worked more than 10 years for NASA. He loved golf, all different types of music, his community and especially his beloved family.
He is survived by his wife, W. Joyce Pendergrass Gary; three daughters, Sandra Ross and husband, Duane of Gray, Maine, Karen Brewer and husband, Bradley of Bowdoinham, Maine and Jennifer Dill of Strasburg; his brother, John Gary of Weatherford, Texas and a sister, Virginia Morris of Longview, Texas; two grandchildren, Baylee Joyce Peterson and Jason Matthew Peterson, Jr.
Pallbearers will be Jason Peterson, Bradley Brewer, Duane Ross, Leon Smith, Jim Hughes and Hanley Erwin.
The family will receive friends at Stover Funeral Home in Strasburg, 5-8 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 18, and will meet at the church at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
A funeral service will be conducted Saturday, Sept. 19, at the Strasburg Christian Church with the Rev. Geneal Wilson officiating.
Burial will follow in Riverview cemetery, Strasburg with full military honors by the United States Army.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Strasburg Christian Church, P.O. Box 581, Strasburg, Va. 22567 or Blue Ridge Hospice, Inc., 333 W. Cork St., Winchester, Va.
Stover Funeral Home & Crematory, Inc., Strasburg is serving the Gary family.
Nancy Virginia Gonzalez
TOMS BROOK - Nancy Virginia Gonzalez, 51, passed away on Monday, Sept. 7, 2009, at her home.
Mrs. Gonzalez was born on June 17, 1958, in Woodstock, and was the daughter of the late Paul Franklin and Evelyn Virginia Silveus Funkhouser. She was employed at Costco in Winchester as a greeter.
She is survived by her husband, Rodolfo Gonzalez; two sons, Paul Eric Gonzalez and David Adam Gonzalez both at home; daughter, Lisa Marie Paniagua of Woodstock; two sisters, Mary Atkins of Strasburg and Ruth Lear of Edinburg; four brothers, Robert Silveus, Tommy Funkhouser, Ernie Funkhouser all of Edinburg and James Funkhouser of Bentonville and one grandson, Tristan Michael Mowery.
A funeral service was held on Monday, Sept. 14, at the Dellinger Funeral Home in Woodstock.
Burial was in Zion Lutheran Church near Edinburg.
Billy Daniel Proctor
MOUNT JACKSON - Billy Daniel Proctor, 75, passed away on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2009, at the University of Virginia Hospital.
Mr. Proctor was born on Oct. 1, 1933, in Mount Jackson, and was the son of the late Verlin Russell Proctor and Emma Irene Weatherholtz Proctor. He was a member of St. John Bosco Catholic Church. He was General Manager and Vice President of Shenandoah Caverns Inc., having retired from the Caverns after 52 years of service. Active in the tourism industry, he was past president of the Shenandoah Valley Travel Association, board member of the Virginia Travel Council, and a founding member of the Shenandoah County Travel Council. Daniel served as past president of both the Mount Jackson and the New Market Chambers of Commerce. He was a recipient of the Gordon D. Bowman Citizen of the year award from the Mount Jackson Chamber of Commerce. He was a founding member and past president of the Mount Jackson Rescue Squad and also was a member and past president of the Mount Jackson Lions Club.
He is survived by his wife Barbara Ann Wagner, whom he married
on Oct. 28, 1955; three children, Denise Weiner and husband Michael of Charlotte, N.C.; Robert Proctor and wife Gail of Harrisonburg; and Joseph Proctor and wife Amy of New Market; 11 grandchildren, Sarah, Daniel, Rachel, Ruth, Mary Clare and Joseph Weiner; Caroline and Natalie Proctor; Emma, Olivia and Eli Proctor; one great grandson, Joshua Isaac Wright; six sisters, Joan Sibert of Woodstock; June Hyde of Edinburg; Connie Griffin of Fort Myers, Fla.; Nancy Page of Broadway; Syvilla Pence of Edinburg and Patsy Snoots of Knoxville, Md. He had eight other siblings to pass away before him.
He was preceded in death by his oldest son, James Brian, who passed away in 1972.
A funeral mass was conducted on Friday, Sept. 11, at the St. John Bosco Catholic Church in Woodstock, with Father Wilhelm Ettner officiating.
Burial was in the Mount Jackson cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mount Jackson Rescue and Fire Department, P.O. Box 251, Mount Jackson, Va. 22842 or St. John Catholic Church, 315 N. Main St., Woodstock, Va. 22664.
Vernon R. Sigman
CHARLESTON, S.C. - Vernon R. Sigman, 74, passed away on Thursday, Aug. 20, 2009.
Mr. Sigman was born on Aug. 2, 1935, in Lincoln County, N.C. and was the son of the late Rev. Walter A. and Emma Lee Sigman. He graduated from Triplett High School in 1952.
He is survived by a sister, Mertie Funkhouser of Edinburg; two brothers, Walter of Edisto Island and Douglas of Columbia, S.C.; and nine nieces and nephews.
Garland Wayne Weatherholtz
NEW MARKET - Garland Wayne Weatherholtz, 59, passed away on Sept. 13, 2009, at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville.
Mr. Weatherholtz was born on Oct. 14, 1949, in Shenandoah County, and was the son of the late Alfred Lee and Lillian Bradfield Weatherholtz. He was a truck driver for Rockingham Petroleum, and a member of Mt. Zion Lutheran Church in New Market. On Oct. 24, 1992, he married
the former Alice Faye Michael who survives.
He is survived by a son, Michael Allen Weatherholtz of Mount Jackson; two sisters, Brenda Kaye Schaeffer of New Market, Judy Lee Fields of Quicksburg; half sister, Beatrice Sager of Broadway; one granddaughter.
A memorial service was held on Wednesday, Sept. 16, at the Reformation Lutheran Church in New Market, by the Pastor Jeffrey Sonafelt. His body was cremated.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Broadway Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 666, Broadway, Va. 22815.
Arrangements were handled by Grandle Funeral Home in Broadway.
Ruth Elizabeth Nethken Plum
Ruth Elizabeth Nethken Plum, born August 17, 1925, to Gertrude (Warner) and Joseph Nethken in Niagara Falls, New York, passed away peacefully in her sleep September 18, 2009, after a long struggle with Lupus. She was preceded in death by her parents, one baby brother, and one grandchild.
In 1928, she moved back to her family’s home of Cass, West Virginia, and forever considered herself a mountaineer and daughter of West Virginia. Although she forever missed her West Virginia mountains, she fell in love with Idaho and felt blessed to live in such a beautiful new home for the last 42 years.
In 1944, her family moved to Elkton, Virginia, where she met her husband, Joe. They married
August 10, 1946, and soon began a family of four boys and one daughter over 20 years. During these years she had many paying jobs, but her true joy was being a wife, mother, and cook. Her children were her pride and joy, raising all five to be responsible, hard working, and independent. She will always be remembered as a Wife who never failed her husband in love, a Daughter who gave her muscle and heart in the care of her mother, a Mother who loved her children equally, a Sister who always thought of her brother, an Aunt who loved her nieces and nephews over the long miles, and a Grandmother who wished she only had more time and energy.
If there is one word to describe Ruth, it is service: to family and friends, to community, and to God. She enjoyed her Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Jobs Daughters; she enjoyed working in food kitchens and making Christmas cookies for those without, she had a ready ear to comfort those in loneliness. She enjoyed the thousands of hours helping children read and enjoyed the Gospel in its many forms. Equally, she enjoyed what was free: God’s Great Creation, rain and shine and the process of bringing earth and sky into a garden with its hope, colors and smells.
We are thankful for the time we shared and we wish it was longer, but she suffered too long and has returned home to lend a new hand. In comfort of this loss, we ask you remember some advice she lived, that “this earth is for living, not dying” and “just another mountain to overcome.” We ask you enjoy every day what it is; a gift to share your love . . . with your family, your friends, and those you will meet. Nothing more; nothing less.
Ruth is survived by her husband of 63 years; her children, Jody (Carol) of Albuquerque, NM, Paul (Margie) of Rio Dell, CA, Bill (Karen) of Northport, Washington, and Martin (Shera) and Margo Hendricks of Idaho Falls, 9 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, the family asks to send your thoughts and material efforts to the Girl Scouts of Silver Sage, Ethridge Lane, Boise, ID 83404 or a charity of your choice.
Memorial Services will be held at 4 p.m. Friday, September 25, 2009, at the Unitarian Universalist Church, 555 “E” Street, Idaho Falls, with Reverend Lyn Cameron officiating. The family will visit with friends Thursday from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at Wood Funeral Home, 273 N. Ridge Avenue.
Johnnie Vincent "Beans" Custer
(July 14, 1948 - March 26, 2013)
Johnnie Vincent “Beans” Custer, age 64, of Broadway, went to meet the Lord on Tuesday, March 26, 2013 at R.M.H. in Harrisonburg, VA. His battle with cancer was a long, courageous journey that ended peacefully with loved ones surrounding.
“Beans” was born July 14, 1948, at home, in Rockingham County, to the late John M. and Blanche Mae Runion Custer. He enjoyed spending time with friends and family, fishing, hunting, and meeting new people. He always had a smile on his face. He never met a stranger.
He was a truck driver for George’s in Harrisonburg.
Survivors include his longtime companion, and love in life, Ellen Summers Custer; three children, Roger “Toejo” Custer and wife Kimberly; Betty Custer; Candy Custer and boyfriend Chris Feddon; along with six grandchildren, Cynthia Custer and fiancée Travis Kline , Casey, Blake, Lashanda, and Zachary Custer, Dominique Custer and boyfriend Robby Dean; two step grandchildren, Joseph and Patrick Feddon; three great-grandchildren, Collin, Caiden, and Cason Kline; six brothers, Jimmy “Pete” Custer and wife Virginia, Dave Custer, Jack Custer, Teddy Custer and wife Barbara, Roger “Tootle” Custer, Charlie Custer and wife Kim, all of Broadway; and various nieces, nephews, and cousins that he loved dearly.
In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by two sisters, Nancy Lineweaver, and Betty Black.
Rev. Stephen Estep will conduct a funeral service 2:00 P.M. Saturday at Bethel Mennonite Church near Broadway. Burial will be in the church cemetery.
The family will receive friends from 7 – 8 P.M. Friday at Grandle Funeral Home in Broadway.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Grandle Funeral Home, P.O. Box 114, Broadway, VA 22815, to help with expenses.
Marie Mae Barb Delawder
BASYE - Marie Mae Barb Delawder, 86, passed away on Friday, July 17, 2009, at her home.
Mrs. Delawder was born on May 26, 1923, in Basye, and was the daughter of the late Perry David and Neda Frances Barb. She was a member of Woodland Mennonite Church in Basye.
She is survived by a daughter, Linda Shirkey Gutshall and husband, Darryl, of Harrisonburg; five sons, Teddy Delawder and wife, Cheryl, of Mount Jackson, Elmer Curtis Delawder and wife, Elizabeth, of Basye, Jimmy Delawder and wife, Pam, of Basye, Perry Troy Delawder of Basye and Terry Roy Delawder and Joni of Basye; 10 grandchildren, Kelli Kramer, Christina Linton, Kevin Delawder, Brock Delawder, Shane Delawder, Duane Shirkey, Sheila Hirsh, Crystal Cain, Adam Delawder and Cory Delawder; eight great-grandchildren, Ashley Booth, McKenna Kramer, Ruarie Kramer, Courtney Stillwell, Dakota Delawder, Heather Shirkey, Michael Hirsh and Dixie Hirsh. She is also survived by a half brother Merlin “ Polk” Barb.
She was preceded in death by her husband Elmer Franklin Delawder whom she married
on June 13, 1942; a granddaughter Colleen Booth Nichols.
A funeral service was held on Tuesday, July 21, at Dellinger Funeral Home in Mount Jackson with the Rev. Rodney Lebron officiating.
Burial was in Woodland Mennonite Church cemetery in Basye.
Memorial contributions may be made to Orkney Springs Fire and Rescue Inc. P.O. Box 374 Basye Va. 22810, or to Woodland Mennonite Church 3715 Alum Springs Rd. Basye, Va. 22810.
Harold James Dingess
STRASBURG - Harold James Dingess, 83, passed away on Sunday, July 19, 2009, at Warren Memorial Hospital.
Mr. Dingess was born in 1926 in Matewan, W.Va., and was the son of the late Rev. Harry Dingess and Lula Dingess. He retired from civil service with 31 years at the Department of Navy. He was an active member of Winchester Church of God, where he was the Sunday School Superintendent for 32 years and served on the Church and Pastors council. He was a veteran, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps, during both World War II and the Korean War. He had a great and wonderful life with many loving memories of his family, church and friends. He will greatly missed by all.
He is survived by his wife of 63 years, Anna Chinault Dingess, whom he married
on Aug. 13, 1946, in Pikeville, Ky.; four daughters, Diane D. Vincent and husband, Gary of Greenville, S.C., Leah D. Woodall and husband, Norm of Ridgecrest, Calif., Becky D. Rice and husband, Jim of Charlotte, N.C., and Patricia D. Stone of Manassas; a son, H.J. Dingess and wife, Penny of Stephens City; nine grandchildren; and six great-grandchildren; three brothers, Arvol A. Dingess, Billy Ray Dingess and Delmar Dingess. He was preceded in death by a sister, Lillian D. Radford and a brother, the Rev. Paul E. Dingess.
A funeral service was conducted on Thursday, July 23, at Winchester Church of God with Dr. Darrell W. Waller officiating.
Interment was in Culpeper National cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Winchester Church of God, Family Life Center Building Fund, 2080 North Frederick Pike, Winchester, Va. 22603.
Thelma Mae Delawder
(May 1, 1924 - March 29, 2013)
Thelma Mae Delawder, 88, of Bergton, died March 29, 2013 at her residence.
She was born May 1, 1924 in Mathias, WV and was a daughter of the late Guy Franklin and Gladys Ketterman Dispanet, Sr.
She was a homemaker and a member of Crab Run Church of the Brethren in Mathias.
On June 5, 1943 she married
Roy Franklin Delawder, who preceded her in death on July 10, 1978.
Surviving are nine sons; Larry Delawder of Fredrick, MD, Edger Delawder of Broadway, Otis Delawder of Broadway, Dwight Delawder of Broadway, Arno Delawder of Timberville, Gary Delawder of Weyers Cave, Kenneth Delawder of Broadway, Tommy Delawder of Mathias, Cletis Delawder of Broadway, five daughters; Betty Freed of Broadway, Linda Shifflett of Broadway, Lois Emerson of Harrisonburg, Nancy Wilkins of Mathias, Rebecca Delawder of Bergton, 35 grandchildren, a number of great grandchildren and great great grandchildren, and three sisters; Alma Shipe of Mathias, Bernice Miller of Mathias, Minnie Kline of Broadway.
She was preceded in death by three sons; Lee, Chester, and Lloyd Delawder, three sisters; Lucille and Joyce Strawderman, Shirley Hottinger, a brother; Guy Franklin Dispanet, Jr., four grandchildren; Shawn, Steve, Karen, and David Delawder, and two great grandchildren; Mason Mathias, Preston Emswiler.
Pastor Frank Tusing and Rev. Dean Williams will conduct a funeral service Tuesday 11 AM at Crab Run Church of the Brethren. Burial will follow at Perry Moyer Memorial cemetery in Bergton.
The family will receive friends Monday from 6-8 PM at the Grandle Funeral Home in Broadway.
Memorial contributions may be made to Perry Moyer Memorial cemetery, c/o Frank Moyer, 21036 Moyer Lane, Bergton, VA 22811, Crab Run Church of the Brethren, 20891 Runions Creek Rd., Broadway, VA 22815 or Bergton Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 19, Bergton, VA 22811.
Melvin Thomas Plogger
(January 23, 1926 - April 17, 2013)
U.S. Veteran - Melvin Thomas Plogger, 87, of New Market, passed away on April 17, 2013 at Life Care Center of New Market.
He was born January 23, 1926 in Lexington, VA and was a son of the late Thomas Preston and Sarah Jane Hostetter Plogger.
Melvin retired as a truck driver after 40 years of driving for Shen Valley Meat Packers and for Mason & Dixon Truck Lines of New Market, VA, Texas City, TX, and Hagerstown, MD. He enjoyed participating in state truck rodeo competitions and was a two year state champion of the Tri State Truck Rodeo of Maryland, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania. Golfing was his passion, having been a member of the Shenvalee Golf Resort in New Market and Woodbriar Golf Course of Martinsburg, WV. He loved going to the mountain cabin for wood cutting, hunting, and riding four wheelers and Gators with his sons, grandsons, and friends. He was a member of the Loyal Order of Eagles. He was a veteran and a member of the American Legion.
On December 3, 1949 he married
the former Bertha Cubbage, who preceded him in death on July 25, 1975. In 1985 he married
his second wife, the former Francis Siler, who preceded him in death in 1996.
He is survived by five daughters; Brenda Hulvey, of Broadway, Linda Whetzel and husband Eugene, of Broadway, Elaina Tinnell and husband Gordon, of Timberville, Janet Spitler and husband Stoney, of Mt. Jackson, Julia Wean and husband Fred, of Broadway, two sons; Melvin Dennis “Denny” Plogger and wife Debra, Lanny Plogger and wife Kay, of Broadway, 14 grandchildren, 15 great grandchildren, three brothers; Oscar, Clarence, Emmett Plogger, all of Lexington, one sister; Ethel Henricks, of Lexington, and a special companion; Cleta Cullers, of Broadway.
He was preceded in death by five brothers; Humphres,Homer, Lawrence, Marshall, Richard Plogger, and three sisters; Pearl Lipscomb, Mabel Hartbarger, Nervie Plogger.
Rev. Paul "Jim" Rodgers will conduct a funeral service Saturday 1 PM at the Grandle Funeral Home Chapel in Broadway. Burial will follow at Rest Haven Memoiral Gardens in Harrisonburg.
The family will receive friends Saturday before the funeral from 11:30 AM-12:45 PM.
The casket will be closed.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Heart Association, 4217 Park Place Ct., Glen Allen, VA 23060 or American Cancer Society, 420 Neff Ave., Suite 210, Harrisonburg, VA 22801.
